Jerome_Bettis, Marshall_Faulk, Steve Young

Top 10 Biggest Trades in NFL History

September 3, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

The NFL has seen its fair share of massive trades — deals that not only made headlines but transformed teams' futures, for better or worse. Now, with Micah Parsons shipped from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers, fans are asking: Where does this rank among the biggest trades of all time?

Let’s break down the ten most impactful trades in league history — and see how the Parsons deal stacks up.

10. Rams Trade Jerome Bettis to the Steelers (1996)

Jerome Bettis was dealt from the Rams to the Steelers — and became a legend in Pittsburgh.
Nicknamed “The Bus,” Bettis went on to have a Hall of Fame career and retired with a Super Bowl win in his final game in 2006.
The trade gave the Steelers a franchise icon and a power runner who fit their smashmouth identity.

9. Raiders Trade Randy Moss to the Patriots (2007)

After a frustrating stint in Oakland, Randy Moss found a new life in New England.
Teaming up with Tom Brady, Moss posted 23 touchdowns in 2007 — still the most ever in a single season.
While he never won a Super Bowl with the Patriots, his impact on their offense was historic.

8. Panthers Trade Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers (2022)

The Panthers gave up on McCaffrey, but the 49ers turned him into a franchise centerpiece.
He led the NFL in rushing yards in 2023 and helped San Francisco reach back-to-back deep playoff runs.
The deal challenged the idea that running backs aren’t worth the investment — and won.

7. Buccaneers Trade Steve Young to the 49ers (1987)

Steve Young was struggling in Tampa Bay — but he became an MVP and Super Bowl champ in San Francisco.
After backing up Joe Montana, Young took over and led the Niners to a title in 1995.
He also led the league in touchdown passes four times and redefined mobile quarterbacking.

6. Falcons Trade Brett Favre to the Packers (1992)

Favre spent one year in Atlanta before being traded to Green Bay.
The result? Three MVP awards, a Super Bowl title, and a place among the game’s greatest QBs.
It’s one of the most lopsided QB trades in league history — and the Falcons never recovered.

5. Lions Trade Matthew Stafford to the Rams (2021)

Both teams won here. Stafford got a Super Bowl in Year 1 with LA.
Meanwhile, Jared Goff revived his career in Detroit and led the Lions to a 15–2 record in 2024.
Two quarterbacks, two franchises, and one trade that changed the NFC landscape.

4. Cowboys Trade Micah Parsons to the Packers (2024)

The latest blockbuster: Micah Parsons to Green Bay.
It shocked the league — especially since most thought Dallas would re-sign him.
Now, the Packers have one of the NFL’s most elite defenses, pairing Parsons with Quay Walker and Xavier McKinney. Super Bowl run incoming?

3. Rams Trade Eric Dickerson to the Colts (1987)

Dickerson set the NFL's single-season rushing record in LA before heading to Indy.
He ran for 1,659 yards his first year with the Colts — but declined quickly after.
Still, the magnitude of the trade shook the league and remains a defining move of the '80s.

2. Colts Trade Marshall Faulk to the Rams (1999)

The Rams won big here. Faulk helped turn the Rams into "The Greatest Show on Turf."
He won league MVP in 2000 and was a vital piece of their Super Bowl run.
The Colts got picks — the Rams got a Hall of Fame running back and a title.

1. Cowboys Trade Herschel Walker to the Vikings (1989)

The biggest NFL trade ever — and the most lopsided.
Dallas gave up Walker and got a boatload of picks — including one used to draft Emmitt Smith.
It set up a 1990s Cowboys dynasty with Super Bowl wins in ’92, ’93, and ’95.
Minnesota? Walker never hit 1,000 rushing yards in a season there.